The role of the volunteer Board is to represent and promote the interests of members and Clubs within Western Australia at local, state and a national level. Each Director is equally responsible for the proper management, corporate governance and compliance of the Association in the best interests of our members and the Association as a whole.
Chairperson
Karl grew up as a Pony Club kid in Central Queensland and, despite a distinct lack of riding prowess, enjoyed many bush gymkhanas and rural pony club camps. Karl’s equestrian interests were interrupted when he moved to Brisbane to study and then moving to Perth.Karl didn’t get back to the horse scene until his wife, Susan, convinced him that it would be a good idea to live in the Perth hills, at which time he convinced her that ponies for the children would be a good idea to “enhance our lifestyle, but not become our lifestyle”. Karl managed to stay true to that ethos for a very short time until his daughter took up membership at the Darlington Pony Club and became a very enthusiastic eventer, now every spare minute is occupied by the topic of horses.
Karl was a member of the Darlington Pony Club committee between 2012 – 2018 where he alternated between the roles of President and Vice-President.
When he’s not busy with horses, Karl is maintaining his career in the mining industry where he holds a senior leadership position.
Director
Amelia has been a member of pony club for almost 20 years, and has been involved as a volunteer on a number of occasions and recognised for these efforts receiving the Pony Club WA Citizenship Award in 2017 and the Pony Club WA Dressage Coach of the Year Award recipient in 2018. Over that period, Amelia has also been involved in the operations of her club as a former member of the committee, both as a junior member and associate.Amelia has a background in Human Resource Management, Accounting, Politics & International Relations with a Bachelor of Commerce & Arts obtained from the University of Notre Dame. She views becoming a member of the board as the next step in continuing her involvement and development as a member of Pony Club. Amelia hopes to learn from the vast experience and knowledge of other members on the board, to grow as a leader and continue to contribute to the guidance of Pony Club in Western Australia for many years to come.
Amelia would like to see Pony Club Western Australia continue to grow as a youth organisation in Western Australia and believes that she has the experience and drive to help ensure this happens.
Director
Ann Marie has been involved with horses all her life and this “hobby” became a lifestyle once she married eventer, Shaun Lowry and moved from Perth to Mundijong in 1989.The Lowry family joined Serpentine HPC in 1996 and have been active members for the 23 years since. All three children learnt to ride and developed their horsemanship at pony club but Grace and Tom soon found non-horsey interests to keep themselves busy. Middle child Georgia, however, has always been passionate about her ponies and the huge variety of pony club activities and friendships have been a cornerstone of her life ever since. Shaun and Ann Marie equally found Pony Club people and culture to be amazingly positive, inclusive and fun and they have thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a great youth movement over so many years.
After a very busy career as a corporate lawyer, HR consultant/ recruitment specialist and leadership executive at Fortescue Metals Group between 1986-2014, Ann Marie decided to leave the St Georges Terrace environment and focus on her family and a more rural life. This took the form of being an actively involved owner and director in locally manufactured animal wellness product Anitone and developing a large agistment property “Shanley Green” in Mardella.
In addition, Ann Marie took on the presidency of Serpentine HPC between 2014 – 2017 and is very proud of this strong and happy club that celebrates its rich history and community spirit while continuing to produce great numbers of capable riders across all Pony Club sports with admirable sportsmanship and character.
Ann Marie believes that Pony Club, at all levels, can deliver even greater services to all the members by encouraging open, transparent and encouraging environments and by sharing the roles and responsibilities amongst as many as possible. In this way, the workload is lighter knowledge is shared and successful succession is facilitated.
Director
Director
Brooke started Pony Club when she was six years old and was a member for the following period (1997-2009, 2016) at Riverside Park Pony Club. During that time Brooke was actively involved as a member and as a competitor in all disciplines. Brooke represented Western Australia twice at the National PPMG in 2005 and 2006. Furthermore, Brooke has been a member of the Pony Club WA Audit and Finance Committee for the past 6 years, assisting with the audit process and drafting financial statements for Pony Club WA.Outside the world of Pony Club, Brooke has been a member of South East Shito-ryu Inc for over 21 years and is currently assisting with teaching students aged from 3 years old. As part of teaching/coaching students, Brooke has gained a proficiency of 3rd Dan Black Belt, holds a NCAS Bronze Dojo Coaching Accreditation, Working with Children card and Apply First Aid Certificate. Brooke is also the Chairperson of South East Shito-ryu Inc and has held this role for 2 years. Brooke’s professional career, has seen her completing Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting/Accounting Technologies) at Curtin University. Brooke is a Chartered Accountant as a full member of the Chartered Accountant Institute of Australia and New Zealand and currently holds a position as Director of the Audit & Assurance Team with Grant Thornton Australia Pty Ltd where Brooke has been employed for 10 years. Brooke currently holds a portfolio of clients from many industries that include not-for-profit, biomedical, manufacturing, financial services, automotive and aged care.
Director
Director, Appointed State Coaching Panel Representative
I have always had a special place for horses in my life since the age of 4yrs but did not actually have my on horses until I was 14yrs.This is when I attended Marlborough Pony Club in New Zealand and also started my riding in eventing.
I accomplished all my certificates up to and including B cert and then did my A cert here in Perth when I came over for a holiday and here I am 42yrs later.
Once I settled here in Perth, I began coaching at Pony Club from the age of 19yrs and went and did my EA Level 1 and 2 also here in Perth.
I have had some great and challenging horses but cannot go past a horse called “Mytellic Myth”(Frank as he was fondly known as) I purchased him as a 3yr and trained and worked him, he competed in eventing up to what is called today 2* here in Perth and Wandin and Werribee in Victoria. He then went onto Show Jumping & World Cup Showjumping with great success here and many times in the Eastern States with Fiona John. He was a true gentleman standing only at 16hh but a big boy in statue being a Percheron x.
Another lovely horse was Scotty who got me jumping again from a 20yr break from jumping. He is a lovely 17.3hh warmblood. Went to medium in dressage.
I have had success and lots of ups and downs but one just keeps improving and learning all the time. There have been many memorable moments but finally in September 2015 watching the birth and arrival of my mares foal (filly called Freyja) has been wonderful and with all going well to know I will have the opportunity to bring her own in the future.
I love coaching at Pony Club to give back what I have learnt and to see the children grow and improve with their horses/ponies.
I have coached over many years and then had a break for a while where I raised 2 sons plus studied and worked as a Vet Nurse for 15 years.
I am now coaching at Gidgegannup Horse and Pony Club as Chief Coach and enjoy the challenges that come with that position.
I was asked to join the State Coaching Panel in 2019 where I have gained and learnt the skills required to further my coaching with coaches as well as assist with decisions put forward to the SCP.
I am a NCAS Pony Club Level 1 coach. An examiner for C, C* & K certificates. A coach Educator and examiner for Preliminary and Level 1 coaches.
My advice to Pony Clubbers is always keep STRIVING for improvement and knowledge and remember to have FUN and stay SAFE.
Director
Director
Vanessa grew up in New Zealand attending pony club and remembers it as being one of her most rewarding childhood experiences.On moving to Australia she joined Walliston Riding and Pony Club and had a repeated positive experience.
When her daughter took up horse riding they joined Horsemen’s Pony Club where Vanessa joined the committee as treasurer in their first year before being elected onto the Pony Club WA board.
Vanessa is a technology consulting partner and has many years of corporate experience which she will look to leverage in her position on the board including accounting, finance, IT, Human Resources and governance and risk.